Aglaonema plant named ‘TWYAG0001’

ABSTRACT

A new  Aglaonema  plant particularly distinguished by being intermediate in stature, having a leafy, compact, upright, vigorous growth habit, excellent indoor keeping quality and having a somewhat faster growth rate than typical commercial  Aglaonema  cultivars, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Aglaonema commutatum×A. rotundum hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘TWYAG0001’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema, botanically known as Aglaonema commutatum×A. rotundum hybrid, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘TWYAG0001’. The new cultivar originated from an open pollination made in Bogor, W. Java, Indonesia. A cross was made in October 2000 and a single plant was selected for further evaluation and asexual propagation in August 2002.

The new cultivar was created in Bogor, W. Java, Indonesia and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and tissue culture in Apopka, Fla. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar were applied for in the European Union in early September 2007. ‘TWYAG0001’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Apopka, Fla.

-   -   1. Intermediate in stature;     -   2. Leafy, compact and upright branched growth habit;     -   3. Vigorous;     -   4. Excellent indoor keeping quality; and     -   5. Somewhat more rapid growth rate than typical commercial         Aglaonema cultivars.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Aglaonema plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show overall plant habit and leaves. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows the upper and lower surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘TWYAG0001’. The data which define these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Apopka, Fla. The plant history was taken on 18-month-old plants started from a single 4-leaf rooted cutting, still in a vegetative state and grown in Apopka, Fla. Rooted cuttings were planted in 20-cm pots and grown in a greenhouse in July 2006. The average daily temperature was about 85° to 95° F. and the average nightly temperature was about 72° to 78° F. The light level was about 1500 to 3000 foot candles. The plants were pinched twice. Color readings were taken under natural light. Color references are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Araceae.         -   Botanical.—Aglaonema hybrid.         -   Cultivar name.—‘TWYAG0001’.         -   Common name.—Chinese evergreen. -   Parentage: Unknown individual plant of A. commutatum and unknown     individual plant of A. rotundum -   Growth:     -   -   Form.—Symmetrical, new leaves held upright, mature leaves             arch outward.         -   Growth and branching habit.—Leafy and compact; upright,             branched growth habit (basal branching); intermediate in             stature.         -   Height (from soil to top of leaf plane).—36 cm to 41 cm.         -   Diameter (area of spread, measured from leaf tip to leaf tip             across the canopy).—44 cm to 50 cm.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—18 months             starting from a single four-leaf rooted cutting and pinched             twice.         -   Root description.—Abundant, fleshy white roots with finer             lateral branches.         -   Number of divisions or clumps per year.—About 10 to 13             four-leaf cuttings per year.         -   Durability of foliage to stresses.—Leaves hold up well             against damage from shipping and handling; plant is durable,             excellent indoor keeping quality.         -   High temperature tolerance.—To about 104° F. for several             hours without damage.         -   Low temperature tolerance.—To about 55° F. for several hours             without damage. -   Stems:     -   -   Type.—Basal branching.         -   Number of branches per plant.—27.         -   Length (from soil line to the junction of the newest two             leaves).—20 cm.         -   Diameter (measured from the midpoint).—0.90 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.25 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Color.—Immature: RHS 155D tinged with RHS 160D. Mature: RHS             161C with areas of RHS 160D. Oldest stems: RHS 161D tinged             with RHS 160B.         -   Appearance (shape).—Columnar, cylindrical upright.         -   Aspect.—Vertical, upright.         -   Strength.—Sturdy, somewhat flexible.         -   Axillary buds.—Shape: Elliptic, flat. Length: 0.4 cm. Width:             0.22 cm. Color: RHS 155D. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, single leaf per petiole, simple             arranged in a spiral along the stem.         -   Quantity of leaves per stem.—10.         -   Length.—15.0 cm to 17.0 cm.         -   Width.—Flattened: 8.5 cm to 9.7 cm. Not flattened: 6.5 cm to             7.8 cm; leaf blade folds upward along the midrib.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cordate to obtuse.         -   Margin.—Smooth, entire with some broad undulations.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth; new leaves shiny; mature             leaves glossy; Lower Surface: Smooth, new leaves glossy;             mature leaves glossy to dull; the leaf blade is convex             between the main veins resulting in a textured appearance.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Young leaf (newly expanded leaf).—Color: Upper side: Between             RHS 147A and RHS 146A base color with small coalescing spots             and blotches of RHS 145D and RHS 158D; areas adjacent to the             primary veins and midrib marked with small coalescing spots             and blotches of RHS 158D often variably tinged with RHS 49D.             Under side: Between RHS 181C and RHS 181D base color mottled             with RHS 147A; upper side pattern and markings visible             through the underside; areas adjacent to the primary veins             and midrib RHS 181C to RHS 181D.         -   Mature leaf.—Color: Upper side: RHS 147A base color suffused             with small coalescing spots and blotches of RHS 145C to RHS             145D occasionally variably tinged with RHS 49C to RHS 49D;             areas adjacent to the primary veins and midrib marked with             small coalescing spots and blotches of RHS 145C to RHS 145D,             flushed with RHS 50B to RHS 50C. Under side: RHS 181B to RHS             181C mottled with RHS 147A; upper side pattern and markings             visible through the underside; areas adjacent to the primary             veins and midrib RHS 181B to RHS 181C.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, radiating outward from the midrib             in a herringbone arrangement.         -   Venation color (newly expanded leaf).—Upper side: Primary             veins: RHS 158B. Midrib-distal: RHS 49C to RHS 49D with             streaks of RHS 146B. Midrib-proximal: RHS 49C to RHS 49D             tinged with RHS 51D, with streaks of RHS 146B. Under side:             Primary veins: RHS 181D. Midrib: RHS 50C.         -   Venation color (mature leaf).—Upper side: Primary veins: RHS             49A to RHS 49B. Midrib: RHS 50A to RHS 50B streaked with RHS             146B (green). Under side: Primary veins: RHS 181D. Midrib:             RHS 51B. -   Petioles:     -   -   Aspect.—Vertical upright when newly expanded, becoming             curved outward and about 45° with maturity.         -   Length.—8.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Distal: 0.4 cm. Proximal (petiole and petiole             sheath clasps the stem proximally): Flattened: 2.8 cm.             Natural diameter: 0.90 cm.         -   Color.—Distal: RHS 51B to RHS 51C (between the top of the             wing and the base of the leaf). Proximal: RHS 49C to RHS 49D             streaked with RHS 50B to RHS 50C. Area adjacent to stem: RHS             159D.         -   Wing length.—6.8 cm.         -   Wing diameter.—Mid-point: 0.7 cm. Base: 0.90 cm. Depth: 0.55             cm.         -   Wing color.—Inside: RHS 49D. Outside: RHS 49C to RHS 49D             flushed with RHS 50B to RHS 50C. Area adjacent to stem: RHS             159D.         -   Cataphylls.—Length: 5.5 cm. Width: 1.8 cm. Shape: Linear to             lanceolate, two keeled, translucent. Apex: Cuspidate. Base:             Clasps the peduncle. Texture: Inside: Smooth, shiny.             Outside: Glossy. Color: Proximal: RHS 155D. Distal: RHS 50C. -   Inforescence:     -   -   Type.—Hooded flower spathes surrounding a columnar spadix             borne atop an upright peduncle; monoecious; spadix a central             column of sessile, simple male and female flowers separated             into two zones; male flowers occupy the upper two-thirds of             the spadix while female flowers occupy the lower one-third             of the spadix.         -   Arrangement.—3 inflorescences per stem, persistent.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Height (from base of peduncle to tip of spathe).—14.5 cm.         -   Diameter/width.—6.0 cm.         -   Flowering habit.—Seasonal, summer and fall as observed in             Apopka, Fla.         -   Number of inflorescences per plant.—5.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Ratio of inflorescence opening.—About 1 new inflorescence             every 10-14 days.         -   Lastingness of inflorescences.—Not observed.         -   Peduncle.—Length: 8.9 cm to 11.4 cm. Diameter: 0.38 cm.             Angle: Upright. Strength: Sturdy, flexible. Color: Distal:             RHS 49B to RHS 49D variably marked with RHS 144C. Proximal:             RHS 155D. -   Spathe:     -   -   Appearance.—Simple, hooded, cupped, enclosing spadix.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Acute to obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth, shiny.         -   Size.—Length: 6.6 cm. Width: 2.0 cm.         -   Color.—When opening: Front side: Distal: RHS 160B to RHS             160C. Proximal: RHS 155D. Rear side (distal): RHS 160B to             RHS 160C variably mottled or streaked with RHS 146D. Fully             opened: Front side: Distal: RHS 160D. Proximal: RHS 155D.             Rear side: Distal: RHS 160C to RHS 160D variably mottled or             streaked with RHS 146D. Apex: RHS 146D. -   Spadix:     -   -   Size.—Length: 3.4 cm. Diameter (female zone): 0.7 cm.             Diameter (male zone): 0.6 cm. Length of female zone:             0.65 cm. Length of male zone: 2.7 cm.         -   Appearance.—Columnar.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Shape.—Columnar.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Pebbled.         -   Color.—Female zone: RHS 9C. Male zone: RHS 8D. -   Flowers:     -   -   Type.—Simple, individual flowers reduced to the most basic             elements.         -   Quantity of female flowers per spadix.—20.         -   Quantity of male flowers per spadix.—250.         -   Shape of female.—Ovate to elliptic.         -   Shape of male.—Obovate, inverted triangle.         -   Size.—Female width: 0.2 cm. Female height: 0.2 cm. Male             width: 0.15 cm. Male height: 0.2 cm. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stigma color.—RHS 9C.         -   Ovary color.—RHS 158C. -   Fruit and seed set: None observed. -   Disease and insect resistance: Typical of Aglaonema; no particular     susceptibility or resistance to pests or diseases noted.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER KNOWN CULTIVARS

‘TWYAG0001’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Dynamic Ruby’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,137) in that ‘TWYAG0001’ has a larger growth habit than ‘Dynamic Ruby’ and lacks fragrance whereas ‘Dynamic Ruby’ has fragrance. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Aglaonema plant as shown and described herein. 